Mission trip to take school supplies to children

For many of the families who live in the Smokey Mountains near Cullowhee, running water and electricity are considered luxuries. Unemployment is high, and parents also can't afford the extra cost of buying school supplies for their children.

The families aren't without hope, though. For the past five years, True Life Ministry in Gastonia has partnered with churches in Cullowhee to help the families in need.

Mulls Memorial Baptist Church in Shelby is joining the effort this year. Mulls new pastor, Jeff Self, had worked with True Life at his home church in Lincolnton. He introduced the ministry at Mulls and asked members for their involvement.

"We are trying to be more active and involved in the community," Libby Glover, Mulls team leader, said. "For me it has become more of a calling. I think any time God calls you to do something, you should listen."

The trip on Aug. 10 will be the second time a team from Mulls has visited the area. In December, members of Mulls participated in the True Life Ministry Christmas mission. They served more than 170 families during that trip.

"We distributed Bibles and witnessed to people," said Mulls member Barbara Glover. "We helped them carry their items to the car, and we witnessed to them."

Her heart was touched by the maturity of the older children.

"We had one bicycle per family and I saw a lot of the older kids stepping back to let the younger ones get a bicycle," she said. "I was amazed."

True Life Ministry started the Christmas trip to the area 14 years ago, coordinator Danny Reece said. In 2008, the Rev. Charles Jackson from Speedwell United Methodist Church in Cullowhee came to the Christmas ministry. After meeting and talking with Jackson, Reece and the True Life board of directors added the back-to-school trip.

"We were led by the Holy Spirit to do this trip to supply school supplies to the less fortunate in this mountain community each August," Reece said in an email. "The Rev. Jackson gets the word out each year. These people have lost their jobs and need help in providing for their children's needs for school. As in all of our projects, we provide the physical needs and also share the love of Jesus with everyone who attends."

Want to help?

True Life Ministry in Gastonia, Mulls Memorial Baptist Church in Shelby, Elevation eGroup in Gastonia are partnering with Speedwell United Methodist Church and Weslyanna United Methodist Church in Cullowhee to provide school supplies to families in need in the Smokey Mountains.

Page 2 of 2 - Donations of school supplies are needed before Aug. 9 and can be dropped off:

- In Shelby at Mulls Memorial Baptist Church, 3299 Fallston Road. Call the church at 704-484-1655 and leave a message or email Libby Glover at libbyglover.mmbc@gmail.com.

- In Gastonia at True Life Ministry in the Greater Gaston Baptist Association office, Rankin Lake Road. For more information or to arrange for donation pick up, call Danny Reece at 704-864-5109.